Collapsible tube



sept. 4, 1934.

F. P. PRENDERGAST coLLAPsIBLE TUxisEl Filed May 19. 1952 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 49 1934 D. STATES imm orFicE l This invention relates to collapsiblev tubes and particularly to that type used in dispensing semiuid materials such as creams, shaving paste, glue, paint and ointments.

The collapsible tube in common use today is provided with a screw-cap which when removed is easily lost. The screw thread adjacent the delivery opening of the tube is rough and as used against the face as in using shaving creams, is disagreeable. x

The primary object ofv this invention is the .provision of an improv-ed collapsible tube.

' Other objects of this invention are to provide a collapsible tube which will (l) be useful as a spreader as well as a container, (2) make the tube contents available without removing the cap, (3) wipe the surplus material away from the tube opening, (4) have the cap ordinarily locked against accidental removal, but will be removable at will, (5) have a body tapered toward the delivery end with the Widest portion at the filling end, thus facilitating shipment of the tubes prior to -filling, (6) have its body portion oval shaped and (7) have its opening at one edge to facilitate emptying and spreading of the contents.l

Other and further objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art from areading of the complete specification and claims.

Referring to the drawing wherein is illustrated an embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a. side view of the complete tube.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the delivery end of the tube.

vFigure 3 is a view illustrating the 'nesting arrangement of the tubes when being shipped empty.

Figure 4 is a top plan view.

Figure 5 is` an enlarged elevation of the tube neck with the closure member removed.

Figure 6 is a cross section of the closure member on the same scale as Figure 5.

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmental view of the lower portion of the neck showing the cam locking means.

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional View of the neck and closure member at the neck opening showing the opening of the closure member in registry with the opening of the neck.

Figure 9 is a fragmental view of a modified' form showing the Vneck detachable from the body portion. 4 v

The same reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the specification and drawing.

The numeral 10 designates the main body portion of the tube which when filled is provided with the binding strip 11 which is applied after the. tube is filled. This main body portion is tapered toward the delivery end of the tube and is thicker along one axis of the cross section than along the other. This cross-sectional shape I refer to l as elliptical as clearly illustrated in Figure 4. One purpose of the construction having the elliptical cross-section is to assist in folding up the end about the binder 11 as the contents of the tube 65 are used. f

At the delivery end 12 of the tube, I have illustrated a conical surface. On the end 12 and at one side and adjacent to one side of the tube,

I provide a neck 13 which delivers the tube con- 70 tents to the opening 14 as shown in Figure 5. This neck is provided with grooves 15 on opposite sides to receive the locking lugs of the closure member to be described. At the lower end of the neck 13 and adjacent the body member 10, I 75 provide another groove 16 which registers with the grooves 15. At the upper edge of this groove 16 is a cam surface 17 which serves as a coacting means to draw the closure member in' place as will be laterl described. The neck 13 is prefer- 80 ably made so that any plane drawn normal to its axis will intersect the neck to form a circle.

A closure member 18 is provided having an interior surface of asimilar size and shape to the exterior surface of the neck 13. The lugs 18a are 85 provided on the interior of the closure member 18 and are of a size and shape to fit the grooves 15 of the neck 13. When in place, these lugs 18a are in position to move in the groove 16 and engage the cam surface 17 already described. 90

' The closure member 18 is provided with knurled surfaces 1'8bvon opposite sides to provide gripping means and at the top is provided with an eye 18c for the purpose of hanging the tube on a nail or hook. The closure member 18 is provided with an 95 opening 18d which is in position to, at will, register with the opening 14 of the neck 13. Adjacent the edge of the opening 18d is a bead 18e to prevent the edges of theopening 18d from injuring the skin in ca'se the tube is used for a toilet preparation and the contents are applieddirectly to the skin of a user as on the hands or face.

In Figure 9, I have illustrated in section the end 112 of a tube which has a short threaded 105 neck 1122'. Screw-threadedly attached thereto is the neck 113 which except for its connection to the end of the tube, is constructed similar to the neck 13 already described. The closure member 18 fits the neck 113 as already described. 11b

I will now describe the operation of this invention.

During the shipment of the empty tubes from the place of their manufacture to the factory Where they are to be lled, it is desirable that they occupy as little space as possible. The shape as already described, lends itself to the nesting of the tubes, as shown in Figure 3.

17. The coaction between the cam surfaces 17,1.

on opposite sides of the groove 16 with the lugs 18a, has atendency to pull the closure member 13 downwardly and tightly seal the opening 14 .against evaporation of the moisture content of the tube filling. When it is desired to use the substance within the tube, the closure member 18 is turned until the opening 18d registers with the opening 14. The tubemay be squeezed andthe contents forced out. The be'ad 18e makes it possible to use the tube and its opening as a spreader.

It will be noted that the position of the neck 13 at the side of the tube-end 12 and the opening 14 at the corresponding. side of the tube neck 13, at an acute angle to the axis of the neck, makes it much easier to empty the tube and utilize it when and where desired. As the contents of the tube are used, the -binder 11 is used as a stiffening member upon which to roll the tube body When through using, the closure member 18 is simply turned until the cam surface 17 are en gaged by the lugs 18a. 'Ihis cuts oi the stream at the opening 14, seals the latter and draws the y closure member downwardly on its seat.

In tne form shown in Figure 9, the tube may be sold separately from the neck 113 and closure member 18, these being dispensed separately, 'or the whole may be sold as an integral unit.

While I have illustrated and described in detail forms of my invention, it is to be understood that these are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention whatI claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. A exible dispensing tube comprising a tapering body portion having an increased girth from its dispensing end toward the opposite end, the body portion having a. delivery opening at its smaller end, the body portion being of an I elliptical cross section, the delivery opening being at a point to one side of the axis of the tube and a. closure member for the tube opening.

2. A ilexible dispensing tube comprising a tapering body portion having an increased girth from its dispensing end toward the opposite end, the body portion having a delivery neck at its smaller end, an opening in the neck, a revolving closure member for the opening, the revolving closure member having an opening for registry with the opening lin the delivery neck inone position and out of registry when in another position, and coacting means between the closure member and neck for holding the closure member over the neck opening when the latter is closed. 1,

3. A flexible dispensing tube comprising .a tapering body portion having an increased girth from its dispensing end toward the opposite end, the body portion having a delivery neck at its smaller end, an opening in the neck, a revolving closure member for the opening, the revolving closure member having an opening for yregistry with the opening in the delivery neck in one position and out of registry when in another position, and coacting means between the closure memberand neck for tightly holding the'closure member over the neck opening when the latter is closed, the body portion being of an elliptical cross section and tapered in size toward the delivery end.

4. A flexible dispensing tube comprising a body portion having an increased girth from its dispensing end toward the opposite end, a delivery neck extending from the body portion, a delivery opening extending from the delivery neck, the axis of the opening forming an acute angle with the axis of the tube, and a revolving closure member -for the opening and having a slot for, at will, uncovering the opening.

5. A flexible dispensing tube comprising a bodyA portionv having an increased girth from its dispensing end toward the opposite end, a delivery neck extending from the body portion, a delivery opening in the neck, a closure member for'the opening'the closure member enveloping the neck, and cam'means for drawing the closure member over the opening to tightly close the same.

6. A flexible dispensing tube comprising a body portion having an increased girth from its dispensing end toward the' opposite end, a delivery neck having a screw-threaded connection with the body portion, an opening in the neck for delivery of the tube contents, a closure member for the opening and means for .drawing the closure member tight over the opening when in its closed position. y

FRANK P. PRENDERGAST. 

